Making Plans for Spring Outer Banks Events

Now that March is here, the weather is warming, the days are getting longer and the outdoor events are popping up like daffodils. If you are ready to get out of the house after a long winter, many fun events are coming up on the Outer Banks. It’s time to start making plans to enjoy them! Here are a few of the things coming up. Be sure to check our Daytime and Nightlife listings for all the things to do this spring.

OBX Polar Plunge

Saturday, March 9

Kicking off the spring season events is the OBX Polar Plunge for Special Olympics North Carolina. On Saturday, March 9, hundreds of people will gather at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head to take a dip in the chilly Atlantic Ocean (current temp is 49 degrees F). Taking the plunge costs $50 per person, and all the money raised goes to support Special Olympics athletes. Groups of five can register as a team, or school groups can register as a team. Prizes will be awarded for best individual costume, best team costume, largest plunge team and several fundraising awards. Registration is from 10 to 11 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Contests and awards will be at 11:15 a.m., and the plunge will go down at 11:30 a.m. To register, click here.

34^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Sunday, March 17

The Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a huge event, said to be the largest St. Patrick's Day parade in North Carolina. This year the theme of the parade is Outer Banks Maritime Heritage to honor the fishing community and boatbuilders among us. The parade is held on the beach road in Nags Head, from MP 11.5 at Bladen Street north to Admiral Street (it’s a little shorter route this year because of stormwater improvement projects). The parade starts at 1 p.m. Line up along the beach road to watch the parade and be sure to hit up the beach road bars and restaurants afterward. There's still time to register if you want to be in the parade. Find details here.

The day before the parade, Saturday, March 16, are two other St. Patty’s events, Outer Banks Sporting Events' Running of the Leprechauns 5K and 10K in Nags Head and Outer Banks Brewing Station’s St. Patrick’s Day Beer Mile, a daytime running and beer-drinking event.

Photo: The Kelly's St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest events on the Outer Banks, is a highly anticipated spring event.

Easter Events

Easter is early this year (March 31) so the Easter-themed events start coming up the weekend right after St. Patrick’s Day. There will be egg hunts all around town, a big event in The Elizabethan Gardens known as Eastertide in the Gardens. Keep an eye on our Daytime events listings for all the family-friendly happening for the remainder of March.

Outer Banks Taste of the Beach

April 12 to 14

The Outer Banks’ favorite foodie event series is moving to April this year. For three days there will be endless amounts of beer, wine, spirits and food at events up and down the beach. From pub crawls to oyster feasts to chowder cookoffs to wine dinners to Nashville brunches to a 5K run through a winery, there is something for everyone. Click here to take a look at all the events, searchable by type of event, town and restaurant location. It’s time to make your decisions and buy your tickets as tickets are going fast and many events will sell out.

Photo: Brunching at TRiO during the 2023 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach festivities. 

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival

Saturday, April 13

The Lost Colony is holding its annual fundraiser, The 6^th Annual Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival, the same weekend as Taste of the Beach. Held in the SoundStage Theatre at Waterside Theatre, the setting overlooks Roanoke Sound and includes tastings from 10 of the Outer Banks’ favorite restaurants plus wine tastings and local craft beers. There will also be a silent auction, music and vendors. Get your tickets now; they’re going fast.

P.S. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour for Daylight Savings Time on Saturday night. The days will really be getting longer!